A Chapter Closes in the U.S.: 40-Year-Old Restaurant Pulls the Shutters
The U.S.'s famous restaurant chain is still shedding leaves. After the bankruptcy, another closure has joined the string of successive shutdowns; the door of the last branch, which has been in service for about 40 years, has also been locked. However, the company is not withdrawing entirely; while closing its branches, it is preparing to open new restaurants.
The restructuring process that began after the bankruptcy at Hooters, one of America's well-known restaurant chains, continues with branch closures. The chain also permanently shut its last restaurant that had been operating for about 40 years in Jacksonville, Florida.
The closure of the restaurant on San Jose Boulevard, which began serving in 1986, ended Hooters' nearly 40-year run in Jacksonville. Because other branches in the city had closed earlier, this restaurant was the chain's last remaining location in Jacksonville.
A sign reading 'We Are Closing Permanently' was hung on the door.
A notice stating that the business was closing permanently was posted on the restaurant's door. While the exact date the branch ceased operations was not disclosed, a public health and safety notice dated September 29 was found in the building.
Another detail that drew attention was that the restaurant appeared to have been operating until shortly before. It was reported that the branch posted about a new menu item on September 24.
With the closure of its last restaurant in Jacksonville, Hooters' presence in northeastern Florida ended.
Back-to-back closings in Florida
Hooters' closures in Florida are not limited to Jacksonville. The restaurant, which has served for nearly 30 years in Panama City Beach, will close in September, while the 16‑year‑old location in Boca Raton also ended its operations in February.
Closures are also continuing in states outside Florida. The Fayetteville outlet in North Carolina closed its doors in May, and the restaurant at the Mall of America in Minnesota shut down in March.
New Era After Insolvency
The company that operates Hooters' U.S. locations, burdened by a rising debt load and the financial strain caused by shifting consumer habits, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2025.
After the bankruptcy process, the company aimed to reduce the number of restaurants it directly operates, following a comprehensive restructuring, and to continue primarily on the franchise model.
During this period, dozens of Hooters restaurants across the United States were closed, and branch closures continued into 2026.
While Closing, New Branches Open
Despite a succession of closures, Hooters is not withdrawing entirely from the U.S. market. While shrinking in some regions, the company continues new restaurant investments in other locations.
A new Hooters restaurant opened in Florida's The Villages area in July 2025, while a new branch is planned for the Lutz area near Tampa.
The closure of the last restaurant in Jacksonville became one of the most striking examples of the company's restructuring process. With the removal of Hooters' sign in the city, which had operated since 1986, the brand officially ended its presence in Jacksonville after nearly 40 years.
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